What's on this week: Scottish National set to provide perfect Aintree appetiser

Monday

Shock Badger Beer Chase winner Rocco aims to return to the winner's enclosure for the first time since that 40-1 triumph in the Boyne Cup (3.30) at Ludlow in a small but competitive field.

Former classy performer Real Steel has yet to win for Paul Nicholls since switching from Willie Mullins but may have found a nice opportunity in the feature race at Monday's meeting, while Bobhopeornohope aims to follow up last month's course-and-distance win.

More jumps action comes from Hexham, while an evening all-weather meeting at Newcastle rounds off the day's racing.

Rocco: aiming to return to winning ways at Ludlow on MondayCredit: Alan Crowhurst / Getty Images

Tuesday

Koi Dodville ran in the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and the David Pipe-trained four-year-old could get back to winning ways now pitched at a more realistic level in a handicap hurdle at Fontwell (2.05).

Elsewhere, Karl Philippe bids to complete a hat-trick for Fergal O'Brien and Paddy Brennan in the feature at Uttoxeter (3.00), while Flat action comes from Navan and Wolverhampton.

Wednesday

Connections will be hoping Garincha makes life a little easier than last time for his jockey, should he line up in the opening 2m5½f handicap hurdle for amateur riders at (2.10) at Wincanton.

The Neil Mulholland-trained six-year-old unseated Tom Buckley at Fontwell last time after ducking sharply to his right but could make amends here.

The other jumps meeting comes at Market Rasen with Lingfield and Kempton holding all-weather meetings.

Thursday

Prince Escalus (2.40) and Punctuation (3.15) are among those who could complete hat-tricks if lining up on a decent looking card at Warwick on Thursday.

More jumps action can be found at Naas and Wetherby, while Lingfield and Chelmsford host meetings on the all-weather.

Friday

Ayr's two-day Scottish National meeting kicks off in style with a seven-race card headlined by the Listed Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase (3.30), for which Mister Fisher heads the weights.

Nietzsche (red cap): could make it back-to-back wins in the Hillhouse Quarry ChaseCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Do Your Job, Whoshotthesheriff, Getaway Trump, Clan Legend, Cool Mix, Dubai Days and last year's winner Nietzsche all boast course form of those entered in what could turn out to be a cracking clash.

There is also a good card at Newbury, where the ultra-consistent Onemorefortheroad could return to the scene of his last success (3.05) after his fine fourth-placed effort in the Imperial Cup.

Leicester hosts its first Flat meeting of the year with evening meetings at Southwell, Wexford and Dundalk completing the day's action.

Saturday

The Coral Scottish Grand National (3.35) is the highlight of the day, with Ayr's showpiece jumps event unusually staged seven days before the English version at Aintree.

With some connections facing an anxious dilemma on whether to risk waiting for Aintree and miss out entirely, the final field for the £150,000 Grade 3 contest remains up in the air, although Christian Williams is set to wield a strong hand with Eider Chase winner Win My Wings and the consistent Kitty's Light.

Win My Wings: Eider winner holds a live chance for the Scottish NationalCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

A pair of Grade 2 races in the form of the Scottish Champion Hurdle (2.25) and the Future Champion Novices' Chase (3.00) add further quality to this highly-anticipated card.

There is also high-quality racing in Ireland to look forward to with the Guineas trials and the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes (3.45) lighting up Flat racing following the start of the turf season last Saturday.

Newbury stages its second day of jump racing and there is a seven-race card at Chepstow, before all-weather meetings at Lingfield and Wolverhampton complete the day's action.

Sunday

All attention will be on Ireland as Fairyhouse hosts a seven-race card that includes two Grade 2 races and two Listed contests.

The Listed Cork Stakes (3.12) keeps the Flat action ticking over nicely, while Hereford and Plumpton complete the week's proceedings in Britain.

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The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a four-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday